The Problem

Capeweed

Arctotheca calendula

What is Capeweed?

Capeweed is an annual which starts appearing from February to about April. It forms a rosette of grey-green succulent leaves and has yellow daisy like flowers with black centres in spring and early summer. Capeweed is similar to many other rosette type of weeds, the only difference being the leaves have white and quite hairy undersides. Capeweed seeds can stay dormant in the soil for several years waiting for the right conditions to germinate.

Weeds in the garden can be eliminated if they are prevented from flowering and forming seed. They can be controlled by hand weeding or hoeing when they are small or by spot weeding with a glyphosate herbicide such as Zero Weedkiller Rapid or Zero Bindii & Clover Gun.